Ready-made necktie form



Feb. 11, 1969 N. A. ELLIN READY-MADE NECKTIE FORM Filed May 15, 1967 INVENTOR NILS A. ELLIN ATTORNEYS F|G.ll FIG.I2 FIG.|3

United States Patent 3,426,361 READY-MADE NECKTIE FORM Nils A. Ellin, Warren, R.I., assignor to E-Z Clasp,

Warren, R.I., a corporation of Rhode Island Filed May 15, 1967, Ser. No. 638,524 US. Cl. 2-153 1 Claim Int. Cl. A41d 25/08, 25/14 Inc.,

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Background of the invention The present invention relates to a necktie form that is used in conjunction with a ready-made necktie, wherein the necktie is permanently tied on the form, which is then adaptable for clamping onto the collar of the user. Prior to the instant invention, various types of necktie forms for use with ready-made neckties have been manufactured and sold commercially and have normally included a clip assembly that was formed in such a configuration that when a necktie was tied therearound, a stylish appearance for the knot of the tie was achieved. Although these prior known necktie forms have found some favor in the trade, some objections have been experienced in connection therewith, particularly those necktie forms that have been constructed of different materials for assembly together. Thus, in one form of the prior known clip assembly, such as illustrated in Patents 2,798,226 and 2,972,750, a plastic material was used in combination with metal, thereby requiring unnecessary assembly steps in the fabrication of the unit. Moreover, a stop pin as employed in the prior known necktie forms was manufactured as a screw machine part that required a special assembly thereof with the plastic and metal parts that comprised the clip assembly.

Summary of the invention The present invention includes a necktie form for use with a ready-made necktie that comprises a clip assembly formed in a one-piece construction of a metallic material. The clip assembly includes a generally curved central portion to which opposed wings are joined in integral relation therewith and a spring member that is cut out of the central portion so as to be connectable at an end thereto in spring relation. The planes of the wings are disposed in angular relation with respect to each other and in an outwardly diverging relation with respect to the central portion. A clamp element is pivotally mounted on the clip assembly at the central portion and has a cam edge that engages the free end of the spring member, wherein the clamp element is normally urged to a clamping position. A pin is mounted on the central portion adjacent to the spring member and is formed hollow in construction, wherein the inner end thereof that is fixed to the central portion is deformed into an annular flange so as to. overlie the adjacent area of the central portion in interlocking relation. The pin extends through an opening in the central portion of the clip assembly, and the interior of the pin adjacent to the outer flange is deformed to define an interior flange that cooperates with the outer flange to lock the pin in the opening.

3,426,361 Patented Feb. 11, 1969 Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a necktie form for use with a ready-made necktie that includes a clip asernsbly that is formed in a one-piece construction of a metallic material.

Another object of the invention is to provide a necktie form having a clip assembly formed in a one-piece construction of a metallic material and including a stop pin mounted on the clip assembly that is tubular in construction, thereby providing for more efficiently securing the pin to the clip assembly.

Still another object is to provide a clip assembly for use in a necktie form having a tubular pin mounted on the central portion thereof, the pin being formed with an outer and inner flange that cooperate to lock the pin in place.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

Description of the drawing In the drawing, which illustrates the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view showing a necktie as pretied on the form of the present invention and illustrating the necktie as it is mounted in place on the shirt collar of a wearer;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the necktie form embodied in the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the necktie form;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the necktie form;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along lines 55 in FIG. 4 and showing the clamping element of the necktie form in the clamping position thereof;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 5 and showing the clamping element in the open position thereof;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the clip assembly, clamping element and pin;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the stop pin showing the manner in which it is secured to the clip assembly;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are views showing the steps required in pretying a necktie on the form;

FIG. 11 is a rear elevational view of the necktie as applied to the form and with the clamping element in the closed position thereof;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 showing the clamping element in the open position thereof; and

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the tie as mounted on the necktie form.

Description of the invention Referring now to the drawing and particularly to FIGS. 2 through 7, the necktie form as embodied in the present invention is indicated generally at 10; and, asTlTrT- trated in FIG. 1, a pretied necktie 12 is adapted to be fixed on the necktie form 10 and secured to the collar 14 of the user. As seen more clearly in FIG. 7, the necktie form 10 is comprised of a clip assembly generally indicated at 16, a clamp element generally indicated at 18, and a pin generally indicated at 20. As will be described hereinafter, the clip assembly 16, clamp element 18 and pin 20 are easily assembled with a minimum of labor, thereby reducing the overall cost of the unit.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 through 7, the clip assembly 16 is shown being formed in a one-piece construction of a metallic material and is stamped out and bent to the required configuration as shown. Located centrally of the clip assembly in a central portion 22 that has a generally curved configuration that is adapted to impart the required appearance for the knot of the necktie as tied thereon. Integrally joined to the central portion 22 and disposed in generally diverging relation are opposed wings 24 and 26. As more clearly illustrated in FIG. 4, the wings 24 and 26 are disposed in angular relation with respect to each other and cooperate with the curved central portion 22 to define the base or support upon which the pretied necktie 12 is wound. Cut out from the upper edge of the wings 24 and 26, respectively, are slots 28 and 30 that define ears 32 and 34, the ears 28, 30 being formed with a modified hook configuration at the upper end thereof and cooperating with a tongue 36 that is struck out of the central portion 22 to receive the clamping member 18 therebetween. As illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the struck-out tongue 36, which has a bent outer end 37, is joined at the inner end thereof to the central portion 22, and thus defines a spring member for the clamping element 18. Also formed in the central portion 22 below the spring member 36 is an opening 38 that is adapted to receive the pin 20 therein.

As previously described, the purpose of the necktie form 10 is to locate the permanently or ready-made necktie 12 on the collar 14 of the user. In order to clamp the necktie form 10 with the tie 12 attached thereto to the collar 14 of the user, the clamping element 18 is provided and, as illustrated in FIG. 7, includes a leg 40 that terminates at the outer end thereof in an end portion 42 that is somewhat angularly disposed with respect to the leg 40. The opposite end of the leg 40 curves reversely, terminating in a head portion 44, the width of which is somewhat larger than the width of the leg 40, thereby defining a T configuration therewith. As shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the head portion 44 is adapted to be received between the ears 32, 34 and the bent end 37 of the spring member 36, and thus the outer edge of the head portion 44, which is indicated at 46, defines a cam edge that is adapted to positively engage the bent end 37 of the spring member 36. The spring member 36 tends to retain the clamping element in the lower or closed position, as illustrated in FIG. and when the clamping element 18 is moved to the open position, as illustrated in FIG. 6, so as to clamp the necktie form to the collar of the user, the cam edge 46 imparts a deflecting action to the spring member 36, thereby biasing the spring member for retaining the clamping element 18 in a positive open position. See FIG. 6. It is seen that the bent end 37 of the spring member 36 and the ears 32, 34 of the clip assembly cooperate to positively lock the clamping element 18 on the clip assembly 16 for snap-action pivotal movement thereon.

When the necktie form with the necktie 12 fastened thereto is mounted on the collar 14 of the wearer, the pin 20 is employed as a stop for the clamping element 18 to positively locate the necktie form with the tie fixed thereto on the wearers collar. Referring now to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the pin 20 is shown being formed in a tubular construction and includes a body portion 48 in which a bore 49 is formed, the body portion 48 being received in the opening 38 that is formed in the central portion 22 of the clip assembly 16. In order to securely fix the pin 20 in the opening 38, the outermost end thereof is upset to define an outer annular flange 50 that engages the outer surface of the central portion 22. The outermost end of the bore 49 is somewhat enlarged to define a recess 51 that cooperates with the bore 49 to form a shoulder 52, the shoulder 52 defining an inner annular flange 54 that abuts against the rear surface of the central portion 22. As seen in FIG. 8, the outer and inner flanges 50 and 54 cooperate to firmly secure the pin 20 in position within the opening 38. As seen in FIG. 5, the length of the pin 20 is such as to provide a positive stop for the outer end portion 42 of the clamping element 18 when the clamping element 18 is moved to the closed or locking position thereof.

When the necktie form 10 is to be used, the necktie 12 is tied permanently thereon in the manner as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, thereby forming a ready-made necktie knot 56 as illustrated in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12. In this connection, during the tying of the necktie 12 on the necktie form 10, the clamping element 18 is moved to the open position so as to enable the tie to be formed thereunder in the required conformation. The configuration of the clip assembly 16 causes the tie to be shaped therearound to simulate an actual necktie knot so that the ready-made necktie knot 56 as illustrated in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 has the appearance of a four-in-hand tie as hand tied when attached to the collar of the wearer. As further illustrated in FIGS. ll an-d 12, the pin 20 is arranged so as to extend outwardly of the tie folds and is 7 adapted to be engaged by the pivotally mounted clamping element 18 to define a stop therefor in the clamping or closed p sition.

In use, the wearer of the ready-made necktie moves the clamping element 18 to the open position and then inserts the necktie form 10 with the tie 12 knotted therearound on the collar 14, the clamping element 18 being inserted behind the collar button of the collar. With the knot 56 as formed'on the necktie form 10 disposed between the collar points, the clamping element 18 is then moved to the closed or locked position, thereby snapping into positive engagement on the pin 20. It is understood that the shirt of the wearer at the collar is interposed between the pin 20 and the clamping element 18, wherein the necktie form 10 with the knot 56 tied therearound is locked in place on the wearers collar. Since the ends of the wings 24 and 26 with the knot 56 tied therearound will be inserted beneath the collar 14 of the wearer, a natural appearance of the ready-made necktie is achieved.

As previously described, the one-piece construction of the clip assembly with ears 32, 34 and spring member 36 integrally joined thereto provides for convenient assembly of the unit with the clamping element 18. The tubular pin 20 not only eliminates a costly screw machine part as previously manufactured but is actually stronger and provides for uniformity of parts in the assembly of the elements into the form. The increased strength in the pin enables the clip to be held without shearing of the pin when the knot is being tied.

What is claimed is:

1. In a necktie form for use with a ready-made necktie, a clip assembly formed in a one-piece construction of a metallic material and including a generally curved central portion to which opposed wings are joined in integral relation therewith and a spring member that is cut out of said central portion so as to be connectable at an end thereto in spring relation, wherein the other end of said spring member is free, the planes of said wings being disposed in angular relation with respect to each other and in outwardly diverging relation with respect to said central portion, a clamp element pivotally mounted on said clip assembly at said central portion and having a. cam edge that engages the free end of said spring member, wherein said clamp element is normally urged to a clamping position, said wings having notches formed therein that cooperate with the cutout portion of said central portion to define spaced ears that are located on opposite sides of said spring member, said ears being offset with respect to said spring member and cooperating therewith to retain said clamp element therebetween, wherein said clamp element is mounted for pivotal movement to a positive open or closed position, and a pin mounted on said central portion adjacent to said spring member and extending rearwardly of said central porti n at substantially right angles with respect thereto, wherein the outer end of said pin defines a stop for said clamp element when it is moved to the clamping position thereof, said central portion having an opening formed therein adjacent to said spring member and through which said pin extends, wherein said pin is secured in said opening 5 to said central portion, said pin being hollow in construction and the hollow inner end of said pin being deformed to define an outer annular flange that overlies an exterior area of said central portion adjacent to said opening, and an inner flange spaced inwardly from said outer flange and that overlies an interior area of said central portion adjacent to said opening, said exterior and in terior flanges of said pin securely engaging said central portion to lock said pin at substantially right angles thereto.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS 12/1962 France.

10 PATRICK D. LAWSON, Primary Examiner. 

